|
|
|
 CMS Releases Final Rule on Health Exchanges
On August 28, 2013, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services updated policies regarding the Health Insurance Marketplaces or Affordable Insurance Exchanges (Exchanges), from the proposed rules published on January 22, 2013 and June 19, 2013. This final rule updates provisions from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and proposed rule regarding various standards affecting the Exchanges and the state Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP). The release of the final regulations is timely, preceding the implementation of the Exchanges slated for October 1, 2013.
(Read more...)
|
|
IRS Finds Extensive Non-Compliance Among Tax-Exempt Colleges and Universities
On April 25, 2013, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) posted the final report summarizing findings of a 5-year project, studying trends in business income and executive compensation non-compliance of 400 tax-exempt colleges and universities. The findings included non-compliance associated with inappropriate determination of unrelated business income tax (UBIT) resulting in over 180 changes to misclassification of activities or expenses, accounting for approximately $90 million in adjustments.
(Read more...)
|
|
Nurse Practitioners Seek Expansion in Scope of Practice
The population crop of baby boomers; rising healthcare costs; challenges in healthcare access to consumers; and, looming implementation of healthcare reform measures regarding health exchanges and consumer insurance have resulted in renewed attention to the challenge of a continuing primary care shortage. One of the proposed stopgaps to combat this shortage is to expand the ability of nurse practitioners (NP) to practice as autonomous primary care providers. As of 2013, NPs have the ability to practice autonomously in 17 states and Washington D.C., while the remaining 23 states restrict autonomy of care in some fashion.
(Read more...)
|
|
Wellness Program Woes
Recent years have seen a growth in employer-sponsored "wellness programs", which were designed to reward employees for taking advantage of education and activities to improve their health, as well as helping to control healthcare spending. Supported by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, many wellness programs offer employees both rewards and penalties based on performance related to certain health metrics.
(Read more...)
|
|
